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tlyczko
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curious about dump and syslog collectors

We've *just* started working toward using vSphere 5.

As the usual first step I started by setting up the vCenter server.

On the installation I see dump and syslog collectors.

Since we plan to also use the vCenter appliance so we can have the web frontend for one additional person as well as the vCenter client for me, should I install the dump and syslog also to the vCenter server even though these are also included in the vCenter appliance???

What is the current recommendation for installation of these items??

Does installing them to the vCenter server take up more memory and/or storage?? (we're using the embedded database, I've increased RAM to 3 GB)

Once installed can the dump and syslog locations be changed later??

Thank you, Tom

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herseyc
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The Syslog Collector is just a syslog server where you can send ESXi logging. http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2003322

  To change the location of where an ESXi log messages are sent you just update Syslog.global.logHost in Host Configuration -> Advanced Settings or by using esxcli system syslog.  You can also send ESXi log messages to multiple syslog collectors.

The Dump Collector is used to collect diagnostic information in the event an ESXi host crashes (PSOD).  http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1032051

The location of where an ESXi sends the diagnostics can be changed using esxcli system coredump or host profiles http://kb.vmware.com/kb/2002955

If you decide to move or change the Collector location you just need to update your hosts to send messages/dumps to the new locations.

Space needed and performance impact is going to depend on the number of host in your environment.

Hopefully the Dump Collector never gets used Smiley Happy

Hope this helps.

Hersey

vExpert 2013/2012 :: VCAP5-DCD/VCAP5-DCA/VCAP4-DCA/VCP5,4/EMCISA :: http://www.vhersey.com/ :: Follow me: http://twitter.com/herseyc
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herseyc
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Here is an excellent blog on setting up the Syslog Collector http://blogs.vmware.com/esxi/2011/07/setting-up-the-esxi-syslog-collector.html

Hersey

vExpert 2013/2012 :: VCAP5-DCD/VCAP5-DCA/VCAP4-DCA/VCP5,4/EMCISA :: http://www.vhersey.com/ :: Follow me: http://twitter.com/herseyc
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tlyczko
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If I'm reading the above-mentioned blog correctly it seems I'm not required to install these collectors to the vCenter server, I can simply use them through the vSphere appliance per se and also have it send syslog stuff to more than one storage location.

I'll assume the above is true and proceed accordingly unless An Expert Says Differently. Smiley Happy Smiley Happy

Thank you, Tom

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herseyc
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Yes both the Syslog Collector and the Dump Collector are part of the vCenter Server Virtual Appliance so there would probably not be a reason to also have them installed on another server.

Here is another great blog on how to set up ESXi to log to multiple Syslog servers - http://blogs.vmware.com/vsphere/2012/04/configuring-multiple-syslog-servers-for-esxi-5.html

I am not 100% positive but I think you can only configure ESXi to send to a single Dump Collector.

Hersey

vExpert 2013/2012 :: VCAP5-DCD/VCAP5-DCA/VCAP4-DCA/VCP5,4/EMCISA :: http://www.vhersey.com/ :: Follow me: http://twitter.com/herseyc
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tlyczko
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It kind of makes sense to have only one dump collector destination.

I presently have syslogs going to vMA but I don't know if I will have/use vMA again since the vCenter appliance is available.

It will take awhile to get used to the new setup etc.

Thank you, Tom

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herseyc
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Yeah vilogger on the vMA is no longer an option with version 5 so you will need an alternative.  Either the Syslog Collector or some other server that can receive syslog messages.

Hersey

vExpert 2013/2012 :: VCAP5-DCD/VCAP5-DCA/VCAP4-DCA/VCP5,4/EMCISA :: http://www.vhersey.com/ :: Follow me: http://twitter.com/herseyc
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